Director Research and Innovation at Trust AIC Foundation (TAF)

Job Description

Purpose of the Job
To carry out research and innovation into various aspects for the purpose of establishing, improving or developing modern methods or techniques of selection and use of science products.

Duties and Responsibilities
• Building on the opportunities provided by the TAF’s leading position in the Research Excellence framework and preparing for future evaluation exercises
• Preparing TAF for regular Knowledge Exchange Framework rounds and supporting the knowledge exchanges processes by which the school’ research has impact in society and the economy.
• Pursuing research funding opportunities on a global basis, working proactively with a wide range of national and international research councils, foundations and corporates and internally with the Philanthropy and Global Engagement division.
• Proactively soliciting and shaping research project proposals, including bringing research funding opportunities to the attention of academic colleagues and providing guidance and support in preparation of bids.
• Co-coordinating research opportunities and enterprises with the TAF’s current institutional partners and with other partners as appropriate.
• Disseminating research outputs as part of the TAF’s public engagement strategy.
• Assisting in supporting students, alumni, and staff in building a socially responsible business through the development of initiatives, including TAF Generate.
• Supporting and developing the innovation pipeline (including TAF consulting and TAF commercialization).
• Giving evidence-based strategic advice. Being responsible for the effective operation of TAF Research and Innovation and for its Service Development Plan, ensuring the delivery of high-quality services concomitant with world-leading research, innovation and entrepreneurship.
• Ensuring compliance with TAF Financial Regulations and with sponsor and contractual regulations in respect of funded research, consulting, innovation and entrepreneurship, and with relevant legislation.
• Taking overall responsibility for the efficient financial administration of all research grants and contracts, consulting and innovation-related contracts and for the production of financial information for management and planning purposes and for the relevant sections of the TAF
• Negotiating terms with sponsors of research across the funding spectrum for all major research contracts.
• Ensuring that all funding sponsors’ contractual and financial requirements are met and that academic grant holders understand and fulfil their contractual obligations.
• Ensuring that TAF by TAF Research and Innovation division members and all holders of research funds is conducted in line with TAF policies.
• Ensuring effective accountability for the revenues and outgoings of the trading activities of TAF

Requirements
• Must possess a master’s degree in any of the following relevant discipline; Business Studies, Statistics, Public Health or Economics with five years’ experience in research.
• Experience analyzing information across various forms of data and able to absorb, analyze and interpret large amounts of complex information in high-pressure
• Project management experience and effective presentation skills.
• Excellent communication and presentation skills both verbal and written
• Flexible approach to work with the ability to respond to changing business priorities
• Ability to work cross functionally with a strong sense of Customer service
• Enthusiastic and highly motivated, and able to lead, inspire, network, foster relationships, both internally and externally and motivate others
• Proficiency in qualitative, quantitative, and/or statistical methods;
• Product or service design and prototyping expertise and experience;